<p><b>Play fetch with Fido or sneak in a few cuddles with your kitten.&nbsp;</b></p><p>Interacting with your pets can release oxytocin in the brain ― you know, the “warm and fuzzy” hormone ― resulting in that joyous feeling.</p>

Spend time with furry friends

Health

<div><p>There’s nothing like a little thankfulness to boost your mood. Research shows expressing gratitude <a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:9;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="5" data-v9y="1">can make you happier</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><b>Try writing down three things you’re thankful for at the end of each night.</b></p></div>

Count your blessings

<div><p>&nbsp;Studies show <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140307111016.htm" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:13;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="6" data-v9y="1">self-acceptance is crucial to a happier life</a>, but it’s a habit we barely practice.</p></div>

Remind yourself how great you are

<div><p>Research suggests hearing your<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/05/12/stress.mother.voice.call/" target="_blank" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:17;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="7" data-v9y="1"> mom’s voice can help reduce stress</a>. And less stress means a happier you.</p></div>

Call your mom

<div><p>Research shows that allowing yourself a few moments of zen-like escape each day <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/meditation-wiring-brain-happiness/story?id=14180253" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:21;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="8" data-v9y="1">may make you happier</a>.</p></div>

Meditate

<div><p>Research shows that trying to boost your mood <b>while listening to music</b> actually can help <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2012.747000#.Uyic061dVvB" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:25;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="9" data-v9y="1">lift you to a more positive state</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Studies also suggest <b>listening to sad music can help boost positive feelings.&nbsp;</b><br></p></div>

Listen to music

<div><p>We didn’t get to where we are without a little help, so <b>why not extend that same generosity to someone else</b>?&nbsp;</p><p>Not only will your kindness influence others, but studies show it’ll also <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/generosity-health_n_4323727" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:33;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="11" data-v9y="1">make you happier, too</a>.</p></div>

Give back

<div><p>A fulfilling life doesn’t lie in our possessions, <b>it’s found in the experiences we have and the people we share them with.&nbsp;</b></p><p>Spend money on a trip, a concert or any other experience that will bring you joy. Science says <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/10/happiness.possessions/" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:40;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="17" data-v9y="1">you’ll be happier in the long run</a>.</p></div>

Spend money on experiences

<div><p>Work for that promotion or take on that marathon.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s a lovely treat for your mind, according to Gretchen Rubin&nbsp;“<b>The brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction.</b>”</p></div>

Challenge yourself

<div><p>More sleep = A happier you.&nbsp;</p><p>Too little shuteye <a href="http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/emotions-cognitive" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:48;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="25" data-v9y="1">slows down our cognitive processes</a> and increases the risk of depression.&nbsp;</p></div>

Get enough sleep

<div><p>Most people wish they could avoid aging, but studies show that we’re <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120106135950.htm" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:52;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="26" data-v9y="1">happier as we get older</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Experts theorize this could be because <b>the older we get, the more we reflect on positive experiences.&nbsp;</b></p></div>

Embrace the aging process

<div><p>Give someone else a compliment.&nbsp;Your generosity will make your day and theirs.</p></div>

Show your appreciation

<div><p>Research shows recording these everyday events may make us happier later on because <b>we appreciate them <a href="http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/03/keep-a-one-sentence-journal-be-happier.html?om_rid=AAEMg8&amp;om_mid=_BVCcs2B9AAn94f" target="_hplink" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:76;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="33" data-v9y="1">a lot more when they’re revisited</a>.</b>&nbsp;</p><p>In other words, if you ate a scrumptious chocolate brownie on Wednesday, write it down.</p></div>

Keep a one-sentence journal

<p>One study on <a href="http://www.livescience.com/14635-impression-smell-thoughts-behavior-flowers.html">how scent affects joy</a> found that participants who were in a <b>floral-scented room selected three times as many happiness-related terms</b> than negative terms.</p>

Stop to smell the flowers

<div><p>Residents of Denmark, <b>one of the <a href="http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/countries/denmark/" target="_blank" role="link" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;itc:0;cpos:75;pos:1;elm:context_link" data-rapid_p="38" data-v9y="1">happiest countries in the world</a>, spend less time than most Americans in the office.</b>&nbsp;</p><p>Only 2 percent of Danes work long hours, which is categorized as 50 hours per week. And full-time workers still devote 66 percent of their day to self-care, like eating and sleeping.&nbsp;<br></p></div><div></div>

Try to cut back on work

<div><p>There’s power in small moments.&nbsp;</p><p>“<b>I think when we take time to notice the things that go right — it means we’re getting a lot of little rewards throughout the day</b>,” Susan Weinschenk, author of <em>How to Get People to Do Stuff.</em></p></div>

Celebrate little victories

Sometimes it can feel hard to keep up a happy state of mind. The emotion, like all the others, isn't always permanent. But there are ways to keep it up or boost it when you need it ― and luckily, they're simpler than you think.

Spend time with furry friends

13 ways you can be happier at work, according to career experts

Unhappiness at work

How to be happier at work

What Makes People Happy And How Can We Get Lasting Happiness?

What creates happiness in the brain

Happiness as a choice

9 Simple Tips to Keep Your Mood Up (Even When Everything Goes Wrong)

Set Happiness Goals

Make Your Bedroom A Haven

Drink Tea